European Union receives Nobel Peace Prize

The prestigious award, controversially given to the EU rather than an individual, has been collected by Herman Van Rompuy and Jose Manuel Barroso, the Union’s two “presidents” to the sound of trumpet fanfares and in the presence of the Norwegian Royal Family.

“Ich bin ein Europaer. Je suis fier d’etre europaen. I am proud to be European,” said Mr Van Rompuy, the president of the European Council, the regular summits of EU leaders.

Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, attended the ceremony after David Cameron and six other EU leaders declined to attend the lavish two-day celebrations surrounding the prize.